A CRACKDOWN on drink drivers has seen 44 motorists arrested in Berkshire over the last fortnight - more than in any other county across the region.

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A total of 119 motorists have been arrested across the Thames Valley in the first 15 days of the force’s ‘Is it worth the risk?’ summer anti-drink drive campaign targeting people suspected of driving under the influence of drink and drugs.

The most motorists have been arrested in Berkshire, while 43 people have been arrested in Buckinghamshire and 32 in Oxfordshire since the campaign began on Sunday, June 1. Of those 75 have been charged, 31 bailed and 13 released with no further action.

Superintendent Lucy Hutson, head of roads policing for Thames Valley, warned motorists that after drinking four pints of lager it can take up to 13 hours to be safe to sit behind the wheel and said: “Is it worth the risk? The answer is simple, no it isn’t.

“Just because you haven’t had a drink for a few hours, it doesn’t mean all the alcohol has left your system and you can drive, you are still likely to be over the limit.”

Thames Valley Police have teamed up with Hampshire constabulary to run the campaign which was timed to coincide with the World Cup and reminds drivers about the dangers of getting behind the wheel after a drink both on the night and the morning after.

The number of arrests has dropped by 13% from 136 during the same time period last year and of the total 100 were men and 19 woman.

Superintendent Hutson said: “Extra patrols will be out over the next few months carrying out a number of breath tests. If you are caught drink driving you could face a criminal conviction, possible prison term, driving ban, and could even lose your job.”